OCTOBER 16, 2003

Secretary of State Terri Lynn Land today announced that Department of State branch offices are once again participating in the Michigan Harvest Gathering, the statewide food drive that runs Oct. 20 through Nov. 3.

For the fifth consecutive year, anyone wishing to donate canned goods and other nonperishable food items can bring them to the Michigan Harvest Gathering collection boxes available in all 173 branch offices. Pledge cards will also be available for those wishing to contribute money in lieu of food items. Branch offices do not collect pledge cards, but envelopes for mailing the cards are provided.

"The Michigan Harvest Gathering provides residents with a wonderful opportunity to share their blessings with those who are not so fortunate," Land said. "The lack of food and other basic necessities can be especially distressing this time of year, with the upcoming holidays. I am pleased to announce that we are continuing our efforts to encourage greater participation in this worthy program because no one should go hungry."

Branch offices are open Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Branch office hours on Wednesdays are from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., with the exception of the city center locations, which are open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Many branch offices in smaller communities may close for a lunch hour. For a complete list of branch office locations and hours, visit the Department of State Web site at www.Michigan.gov/sos.

In 2002, the Department of State collected 13,157 pounds of food and $85. Contributions for state government totaled 73,771 pounds of food and $28,483. Each year, the Michigan Harvest Gathering sets a goal to reach 250,000 pounds of food and $250,000 in public and private contributions. This goal has been met repeatedly throughout the campaign’s history as evident in last year’s total contributions of 680,218 pounds of food and $323,217.

Hunger does not respect age, gender or geography. The Hunger in America 2001 study about emergency food clients in Michigan reported that:

• More than 774,000 people use food banks in Michigan
• About 44 percent of the recipients were children and 6 percent were elderly
• 70 percent of the recipients live below the poverty level
• Only 38 percent use food stamps
• 40 percent live in rural or suburban areas

All Michigan Harvest Gathering proceeds are donated to the Food Bank Council of Michigan and its member agencies. Money raised helps the food banks recover the transportation costs of collecting and distributing food to local emergency feeding programs, as well as purchasing hard-to-obtain food items. Any food collected stays in that community helping friends and neighbors facing a tough time.

The Michigan Harvest Gathering began in 1991 and is a collaborative effort among government, private corporations, local businesses, the farming community and individuals. Through the efforts of the Food Bank Council of Michigan and its members, more than

5.5 million pounds of food and $3.7 million have been raised since the campaign began.